Faith Step

Each January for the past few years I have chosen a word that I feel God has put on my heart describing something I want to work on for the year in my personal and family life. This past year has been a roller coaster ride for our family, so I chose the two words Faith Step because it sums up everything we have gone through over the past 12 months.

A few years ago my husband, Jeremy, felt that God was calling him into full-time ministry as a worship pastor. We have been plugged in and going strong since then.

It has been neat to see how God has provided for us as we made that first faith step 3 years ago. It was scary as we took a 60% pay cut from a great job, but God answered back and gave me a fun job through blogging.

It has been an incredible journey…but God had another step He wanted us to take!!

Hebrews 11:1 “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.”

Last December Jeremy and I found a house in Indiana that we were interested in. We went through it and felt that it was worth an offer. I can’t even tell you how many times we tried to get that offer to work. Nothing seemed to go right with it. Eventually some one else bought the home.

At one point we sat down and my husband asked, “Do you ever get the feeling that we aren’t meant to be settled here?” It turns out that both of us were feeling restless and didn’t know why.

We prayed about it and felt that God was calling us into ministry somewhere else.

But where? We had no idea at that time. So we made our own checklist of what we would like in a new job.

The beach, coast, and big city were the requirements that we came up with, so Jeremy started looking online for churches in those types of areas that were hiring worship pastors.

Each month he sent out more resumes, and each month we heard nothing. At that point we started to question if it was really God moving us, or just us being discontent. More prayer and talking to some very close friends really confirmed with us that it was truly God calling us somewhere else.

In June, Jeremy received a call from a church in TX that was looking for a worship pastor. This church was in the middle of nowhere! There was no beach, and it wasn’t a “big” city like we were looking for. He dismissed it and went back to applying other places.

A week later, the same church called again asking if he had a video they could review. He decided to send it in, still thinking that this was not going to be anything worth thinking about.

The following week, this church called and said that out of the 20 videos that they watched, Jeremy’s video was the #1 pick from the whole search team. The next step would be a Skype interview if he was interested. He still wasn’t sure, but decided to go ahead with the interview and see what happened. I mean it couldn’t hurt, could it?

The interview was supposed to last 45 minutes…an hour and a half later he was still on the call.

At that point I was at the door trying to hear what was being said. From what I could hear, they were loving him. You know how sometimes you tailor your answers based on the situation? Oh, no, not Jeremy. He was being bluntly honest with each question…and I could tell that was resonating well with the team.

Sure enough, a day later they called and asked if we would be willing to come down to meet the staff and band in person. This was the middle of June, and the next available time we had to do this was the end of July, but we went ahead and said yes.

The last weekend in July we headed to Texas to see about this potential new job. The entire trip was so easy and laid back and not awkward at all. Everyone was very friendly, and we had an amazing night of worship with the band. It seemed to click. They felt he was the guy for the job and asked if we would continue to the next level.

Jeremy came home from that trip and felt that the timing just wasn’t right. The kids were starting school in a week, and we didn’t want to pull them out in the middle of a semester. Plus, this place wasn’t on “our list”. So, my husband turned down the offer to continue with the interview process with this church. But God had other plans…

Over the next 6 weeks, he tried to plug-in hard core again at our current church, but God kept bringing the TX church back to his mind. I still remember the day he was leaving for work in September, and he turned and told me he was going to email “that church”. I had absolutely no idea that he had been wrestling with his reasons for telling them no.

James 1:6 “But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind.”

He emailed them and basically said God had been working in his heart, and that he had turned down the job for the wrong reasons. He had let fear, doubt, and his own desires rule his heart, and that he needed to let them know why he had said no in the first place.

Honestly, he had no other reason for sending that email. He wasn’t trying to get another interview, he just felt that it was something God was asking him to do at that time.

Within an hour, the TX church had called him back wanting to talk to him about this email and change of heart. That very same day another church asked for his video. 9 months of resumes being sent out and, of course, one would ask for a video that very day! Was it another distraction or an answer to our prayers?

He decided to send the video to the other church AND set up a call with the TX. church. At this point we were completely putting this entire thing in God’s hand’s 100%. There was absolutely nothing else that we could do. Our prayer was that God would continue to open doors and show us which one to go through!

He had another Skype interview with the TX church, and they still felt that he was a perfect fit for the worship position. They asked him to come candidate, and see if we felt that God was moving us in that direction as well.

Our kids had fall break at the end of October, so we set up the trip for that week. Then we just prayed and prayed AND prayed some more over the next 6 weeks. Our desire was that God would show us in a very clear way that this was exactly His plan for us.

We came down to Texas and met more people from the church, visited schools, and met with a realtor. On November 1st, Jeremy led the worship service, and the church voted 98% YES to extend the job to him.

Talk about a clear showing that this was the direction God wanted us to go! God answered our plea for direction.

After months of trying to find a job that fit our list, we realized that God had other plans for us. We humbled ourselves and put our wish list aside to say YES to God’s plan.

Jeremiah 29:11 “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”

God has a call/challenge for each of us. Are you willing to listen, move forward, and obey what God has opened up for you? Yes, it might be hard, and it might not fit with our plans. But if we live our life according to what God has given us, we will have so much joy and peace.

Does that mean that the road there will be easy? No, it will come with challenges and obstacles. It means life will be scary and rough for a while.

But one thing that kept motivating us was that we have 3 teenagers watching us as we make life decisions. How can we try to teach them to follow God’s leading if we weren’t willing to do the same?

We want our kids to grow up watching us take those steps of faith when it doesn’t fit with our life plan. We want them to be strong and willing to take those same steps when life throws them curve balls as adults.

Last month we packed up our entire home and moved across the country to Texas to follow God’s will. It’s going to be quite an adjustment as we transition to a new church, city, home, and schools.

But we truly believe that God has opened every door to get us to this spot, so we are gladly taking that step and asking Him to direct us from there. Our family is excited to see how God will use us in this season of our lives.

I don’t know what faith step might be facing you right now. But everyone has one. God is never finished taking you deeper into a relationship with Him and taking faith steps along the way. There will always be another step.

The question is…are you willing to step out not knowing how it will go or look? I can’t wait to hear what God is asking you go do and how you are going to respond.

James 2:14 “My brothers and sisters, what good is it for people to say they have faith if their actions do not prove it?

Mazel Tov on the move. Even though I’m Jewish and we’re different faiths we have the same view on God. Must breathe out fear and breathe in faith. It’s very hard but takes practice. I’ve learned that through my 12 step program. And it never looks the way you think it will. God will put you wherever he needs you at the exact time he would like. No sooner or later.

And in my experience every trial I’ve gone through has only led me deeper into seeking a better relationship with my higher power. And everything I’ve gone through serves a purpose of helping another.

Your post today is very beautiful to read! My husband, who is much older than me, has health issues that I can’t help but worry about all the time. But, I have asked for God’s help and to guide me along. My oldest brother is sick, too, so it has been a little distracting.
I pray that you and your family will have peace, happiness and contentment in your new home.

This was beautiful Jocelyn…..and I understand what you mean……as it might be happening in my family too……can explain to you personally, but not on here…..as it may involve people involved also who may not know about it……will let you know more when I can….
So are you guys in Texas now ? My daughter used to live there, it is hot there and they did not like it, so now they live in a cold state…..

I enjoyed your blog today so much, made me cry as this is happening to our family too…….

Please keep us posted of your Texas move…….now no more cold weather for you eh? I love hot weather myself …..

Sending this anonymous, but you will know who it is, by my email address 🙂

I know exactly how you must be feeling right now. It’s so hard to let go of our plans and follow God’s, but what a joy to know we are in His hands wherever He leads us. Prayers for you and your family as you head into a new season too!!!

Jocelyn it has been an amazing testimony to our famity as we were priviliged to watch you and Jeremy make the decision to put it in God’s hands and being willing to follow no matter what. Thank you again for being faithful to our Lord!!! Love you guys and missing you tremendously! (Ben is missing Caden like crazy!)

Looking back and seeing how God worked in our hearts through this process has been such a joy. I am so glad to know that you and your family could see our desire to follow God’s leading, even when it was hard to leave. We miss you guys too!!!

Love your story, and know your hearts are for God. It was selfishly painful to see you go, but we always knew that it was coming. PJ’s ability to hear and react to God’s prompts have always been a beautiful thing to witness, and I know there are many in Texas who will benefit from each and every one of you. Our love and constant prayers will be with you always.

Inspiring story and welcome to Texas! Giving all to Christ is so hard to do and I admire your strength. My family is going through a rough time too (aren’t we all!) but we keep plodding on. I try to make something new from your blog to relieve the stress and for the fun of it! Hope you’re near Victoria! Blessings to all in 2016!

Welcome to Texas!!!!
I hope you and your family enjoy living here as much as we have. Where are you moving to? We’re in the Hill Country
P.S. Loved your inspiring story. It helped in opening my eyes to the praying I’ve been doing about a home we were in the process of buying.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! We are in west TX…I’m not sure where Hill Country is. I’ll have to get my map out! And I am so excited to hear that my sharing of our faith step could help you as you make a huge life decision! God is good all the time!

Thanks for taking that faith step and joining “that TX church.” I know we are blessed to have you and your family and I hope our church is a blessing to you and yours. The city isn’t too big, the coast and the beach are pretty far, but we have the best sunsets.

We are excited to be here, as we know that God had His hand guiding us here the whole time. It will be so much fun to see what He does through the time we are here! And I’m looking forward to the sunsets!

Thank you for being transparent about your decisions, your doubts and most importantly your faith. Your trust in God and in Him alone is easy to see as I read what you write. Thank you for leading me to Him this morning. I am thankful God is not finished with teaching us to love and serve Him more each day.

It’s not easy to make these decisions in life, much less share our failures getting to where God wants us. But I am so glad to hear that our story could bring you to the feet of Jesus! Our God is amazing!!!

What a great read and exactly what I needed. I’m struggling with BIG decisions both personal and professionally and this read really helped me keep the decision in GOD’s hands. Thank you for sharing! Wishing you and your family the best of luck in your new home/city/church!

I am excited to hear you could get some comfort in your decisions as you read about our life journey. It’s not easy letting go and letting God have control, but the joy it brings is indescribable. I will be praying for you and your family as you make the decisions you need to make!

This is such an amazing testimony of faith. I was inspired and impressed by it when you told me on the bus in Indiana. It takes a bold faith to do what your family did and I can’t wait to see the things God has in plan for you in TX. I’m blessed and happy to call you a friend. XO

Girl, you inspire and impress me all the time! It was so fun to look back on our journey from the past year and see how God worked and moved in us! I am so glad to have had the opportunity to meet you last year and call you friend too! Hopefully work/blog opps will bring us together again!!!

Hard to type through tears. I am so inspired by your FAITH STEP!! I remember sitting in a room with you at BHF… you were struggling with your own issues… but my heart kept returning to you. I would say something.. realize it was not honoring my true faith… and feel guilty. Just your PRESENCE is convicting me girl! Thank you for sharing your heart and faith!!

Isn’t it crazy how much stress we put on ourselves when we struggle with letting God have control? Thank you so much for that short time we had at BHF…it helped me to share with you and have you share that song and your thoughts with me. You are such an inspiration to me! Keep letting your faith and convictions shine through you! I heart you!!!!

Dear BruCrew – how wonderful to now know your story!!! Thank you for your faith in Him and the example you are leading us and your beautiful children with. Miss you, but know that you are in God’s loving hands, I can’t ask for anything more. Love and prayers?

Joce, thanks so much for this beautiful post! Your boldness in this step of faith is truly inspiring! May you encourage all who read it to step out in faith and listen …even when we are unsure or have our own “list” or plans. HIS plans are so much greater!!! I am excited to see how HE will work in you in Texas, and I will continue to pray for you, Jeremy and the kids as you settle into this transition. I have been blessed to call you my friend for many years, and even though many miles separate us…you are always in my heart. I love you, dear friend!!

Thank you so much! I cannot believe how long it has been since we have been able to chat. Thank you for the prayers as we settle into a new place. It has been fun to watch as God has directed us in spite of us! I love you too, friend!!!

I will be praying for you and your family as you move and transition. God put it on our hearts to move and after months of confirmation, we moved and now we feel like God keeps showing us through small things, it was the best decision ever–prayers for you to feel exactly the same!!

That is awesome to hear that your faith step is showing you in small ways that it was the right one. Isn’t our God amazing? I am looking forward to experiencing those small confirmations as we get settled here!

This is beautiful Jocelyn! Thanks so much for sharing your story. God really does work in mysterious ways. I’m sure you will love it in Texas! I haven’t met many people from there who don’t want to go back 🙂 My sister lives in Murphy (by Dallas) and loves it! I will be thinking about what you said. Thank you!

Thank you so much Karen. It was definitely a hard and long journey to get to the place where we could let go and let God have that control. But we are excited to see what He does with us in this new place!!!

Hi, Jocelyn. I can really relate to your story. I think that’s how God has worked with us several times during almost 38 years of marriage. When we moved to Massachusetts in our early 30s we took a pay cut of over one-third of our salary to serve in a ministry position there. It was hard but we had the assurance that God opened the doors and, in spite of the hard times, we had a great experience there. We moved to the Dallas Metroplex area almost 20 years ago, planning only on being in “hot” Texas for 3-6 years to get our kids through school. God had other ideas for us as well. 20 years later I can tell you that the people are very hospitable, the skies are blue most of the time, and I’m getting used to the hot weather even though I used to love shoveling snow! You didn’t say what area of Texas you are located in, but if you are ever in this area I would love to have you and your family over for dinner. Thanks for sharing.

Isn’t it neat to look back over the years and see how God has worked and directed in our lives? Our God is awesome and stays with us through every step when we follow His leading! He has shown Himself faithful every single time, so I don’t know why we let ourselves get so distracted when He tried to move us over and over. But I am thankful He doesn’t let us stay out of His will. It will be so exciting to watch how He works in our life in a new place. We are in west TX, so about 6 hours west of you. I do have family in Fort Worth, so we will make it over there every once in a while. Thank you so much for the dinner offer!

What a moving story of faith. Thank you for sharing! Sometimes we pray, “And Your will be done, as long as it’s what I want…” You really did let God lead in this. Many blessings to you and your family as you start this new adventure in your lives.

What an inspiring story! I can’t wait to hear more about your new journey. Taking the first step towards something when you don’t know how it will go is always the hardest part. I hope you are settling into Texas well and enjoy this new place with your family!

Thank you so much Ashley! That first step of blind faith is always the hardest. But letting God have that control gives us such a peace about the decision. It will be fun to see what He does in and through us as we are here!

I enjoyed reading your post today. I don’t go to church because I have Asperger’s Syndrome. The people and noise usually make it very hard for me to tolerate it. But I do believe in God’s will for each of us. I’ve been thinking more and more about going back to college and pursuing working with Autistic children. My sisters both told me that was a stupid idea and I would be horrible. It just keeps coming back to my mind.

I wish you luck with your move. I’m sure everything will turn out great.

I agree with you that God has a plan for each of us. Don’t let others discourage you from doing something God has place on your heart and mind. Pray about it and ask Him to give you confirmation in your heart that this is the direction you should be going.

WOW! Amazing story Jocelyn. Thank you so much for sharing. I feel 100% the same way about our current situation. I never dreamed we would be living in China, but here we are! Everything fell into place exactly the way it was supposed to, which at some times was miraculous. Best of luck to you all in Texas!

It is really great that God have shown you the path to your new life! There are times in life when you feel that something isn’t going well and you need to move away and look for a new path. Your faith in God and the moving away have helped you and your family a lot. Thank you for sharing!

Jocelyn is the baker, photographer, and writer behind Inside BruCrew Life. She is married to her best friend, and they have three great kids. She spends her days baking sweet treats, and then trying to find ways to give the treats away without eating them all. Grab a cup of coffee and visit while she shares life from their kitchen. Read More…